Type setting means in serial printers



April 14, 1964 p, HOFFMAN 3,128,696

TYPE SETTING MEANS IN SERIAL PRINTERS Filed Feb. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i us 155 26 uoa HIB INVENTOR. us PAUL R. HOFFMAN BY 62 2e uJLwMKRM AGENT April 1 4 1964 P. R. HOFFMAN 3,123,696

' 1 TYPE SETTING MEANS IN SERIAL PRINTERS Filed Feb. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGIA FIG! FIG?) INVENTOR. PAUL R. HOFFMAN ama a N O o a o4 United States Patent 3,128,696 TYPE SETTING MEANS IN SERIAL PRINTERS Paul R. Hoffman, Grand Haven, Mich, assignor to Burroughs Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Feb. 5, 1952, Ser. No. 170,994 6 Claims. Cl. 101-93 This invention relates to novel printing apparatus and more particularly to high speed printing apparatus.

Prior art devices for serial printer type positioning have been confined primarily to the following circumstances. In one form of printing a carrier having a single column of type therein isshifted linearly to reciprocate the type characters past a platen. In a second form, a cylindrical type member having type characters disposed about its periphery utilizes rotation and axial movement to position the type characters opposite the platen. A third form uses a sphere-shaped, mushroom type element containing the letters, numbers and punctuation symbols which requires two angular movements from a common point to print a given character. All of the above motions require rather complex mechanisms to obtain and accurately combine the two motions.

The principal object of this invention is to provide improved printing apparatus for combining two selection movements for positioning a font of type in a serial printer.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved printing apparatus for serial printing at high speeds and with economy in the number and design of the operating parts.

In carrying out'the objects of the invention, printing apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a type carrier having a plurality of type elements mounted for reciprocation therein. Two positioning devices, suitably linked to the carrier and located on intersecting axes, are capable of establishing the carrier in one of a plurality of positions, each along its respective axis. The combination of movements imparted to said carrier by said positioners along said axes presents a specific type FIG. 1A is another partial front elevation view of the printing apparatus showing the remaining portion thereof;

FIG. 2 illustrateshow FIGS. 1 and 1A may be placed to form a complete front elevation view of the major components of the printing device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the type element actuating mechanism taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1.

The subject matter of this invention relates to apparatus of the type described and claimedin the copending application for patent of Frank H. Moore, Jr., entitled Positioning Apparatus, Serial No. 169,887, filed January 30, 1962, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The various figures illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention of which FIGS. 1 and 1A when combined show the general organization thereof. The printing mechanism includes a type carrier mounted for combined vertical and horizontal reciprocation and is provided with a head portion 12 in which type elements or slugs 14 are positioned for suitable horizontal move- See ment into engagement with platen 16. The carrier iricludes a depending leg or link portion 18 which is secured to vertically disposed pneumatic positioner unit 20, by means of pivot connection 22 in block 23 which is secured to piston rod 24 thereof. The pneumatic positioner in combination with its associated fluid damping unit 26 is capable of establishing the carrier in one of a plurality of vertical positions corresponding in the present instance shown, to the four horizontal rows of type elements 14 housed in the carrier. In a similar manner as seen in FIG. 1A, a horizontally disposed pneumatic positioner 28 with its associated damping device 30, through its piston rod 24 and block 25 moves connecting link 32 to reciprocate the type carrier 10'horizontally. The vertical and horizontal motions imparted by positioners 20 and 2 8 are thus combined to present a specific type plug 14, to 'the hammer mechanism 34, see FIG. 3. Duringa dwell period of the positioners, hammer cam 35, through clutch 36, releases the hammer 37, which strikes the selected type element 14 to thus print out the desired character. Spring 15 associated with the typeslug 14 restores the latter to its initial position. By suitable step advancement'betwe'en the platen and the type carrier, along the axisot the platen, successive type characters may be selected and printed out to form a line of prin ing upon record medium 40.

Included in the printing mechanism are certain control devices for selecting the desired type element 14in the carrier 10 for printing impression upon the record medium or sheet 48. Such devices are electrically operated and controlled from a signal source indicated as at 42, FIG. 1. In general the control devices are in the form of solenoids 44, 46, 48, 50 which actuate spool valves 45, 47 of pneumatic positioners 20 and 28 respectively.

The vertical and horizontal positioning devices 20 and 28, respectively, are identical, so that a description of the vertical positioner 20, will suffice for the horizontal positioner 23. Each includes a casing 21 of two-part construction consisting of half-sections 21A and 21B, which when joined together define power cylinder 52 within which is coaxially arranged a piston 54 mounted upon piston rod 24. Each end of the cylinder is closed by means of an end plate 60 having an integral cupped boss'61, see the upper left hand portion of FIG. 1A, which is internally threaded to engage with the external screw threads formed on the nut 62. Packing material 63 fitted within the cup portion of boss 61 is'provided to prevent leakage of the fluid medium underpressure from the cylinder. The casing'half-sections when joined together also include two secondary cylindrical bores 65 and 67, see FIG. 1, to receive the aforementioned spool valves 45, 47. Spool valve member 45 includes a plurality of axially spaced spools 66, 67, 68 and69, while spool valve member 47 includes axially spaced spoolsf'72 to inclusive. The casing sections 21A and 21B also define a plurality of passage ways 76, 77, 78 and 79 which interconnect the cylinder bore 52 with the spool bores 65, 67 and then to the atmosphere. The passageways 76 to 79 include offset portions 76A to 79A inclusive which extend between bores 65 and '67 and terminal portions 76B to 79B respectively which lead from bore 65 to the atmosphere. A source of 'air under pressure is supplied to both ends of the power cylinder 52 which includes two inlet ports 81 and 82, by means of piping 83 from a suitable air supply designated by reference character 84, see FIG. 1A.

Referring now to FIG. 1 the damping unit 26 of positioner unit 28 is illustrated as being similar in construction to the latter unit. It likewise includes a two-part casing 91 which when in assembled relationship defines a damping cylinder 93. The ends of the cylinder are also fitted with end plates 60 as described above. Piston 95 fitted upon the lower end of piston rod 24, travels within cylinder 93 and operates in tandem with piston 54. In similar manner valves 45 and 47 each include along their lower portions a plurality of spools 96 to 99 and 101 to 104 inclusive, and are received in bores 105 and 107 of the casing 93 respectively. Passages 108 to 111 inclusive which include offset portions 103A to 111A inclusive and terminal portions 183B to 1113 inclusive are also provided in the casing and are located in a similar manner dimensionally, as passage ways 76 to 79 in casing 21 above. Passage portions 10813 to 111B inclusive are shown as extending transversely from the bore 105 to terminate in an enlarged common passage way 115 which is likewise integral with casing 91. Suitable piping 117 connects the passage 115 to the opposite side casing portion 119, which includes enlarged chamber 121 extending parallel to the hydraulic cylinder 93. Check valves 123 and 125 located in line with inlet openings 124 and 126 at opposite ends of cylinder 93 admit fluid under pressure to either end of the cylinder. The construction of the check valves however is such as to preclude escape of fluid from the cylinder 93 in a reverse direction into the pipe 117.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper portion of piston rod 24 is shown terminating in slide block 23 which includes apertures 23A to enable the same to travel back and forth upon guide rods 130. Blocks 131 and 132 are suitably secured to frame plate 133 and are spaced apart so as to receive the opposite end portions of the parallel spaced guide rods 130. Bearing sleeve 135 received in block 132 provides support for the upper end of piston rod 24 during its reciprocal movement therein. The upper portion of frame plate 133, FIG. 3, includes a cutout portion as at 136 to receive the hammer mechanism 34 therein. A hammer 37 and bell crank 138 associated therewith are supported for pivotal movement upon pivot 139 which extends between a pair of ear portions 140 integral with the marginal edges of slot 136. A spring 141 is interconnected to the hammer and the bell crank as by suitable posts 142, 143 respectively. A second spring 144 extends between the horizontally disposed arm of bell crank 138 and is aflixed at its other end to post 145 which projects from the back surface of plate 133. Cam follower roller 146 secured to the extremity of the horizontally disposed arm of bell crank 138 engages the peripheral cam surface of cam 35.

Referring now to the guide block 25 secured to the right end of piston rod 24 of horizontal pneumatic actuator 28, it is seen that it likewise travels upon guide rails 130, the ends of which are supported upon blocks 147, 148. Connecting link 30 is connected to block 25 by pivot 149 and leg 18 of carrier by pivot 153. Upon suitable vertical and horizontal positioning movements being imparted to the type carrier box 10, a selected type character is positioned for printing. Thereafter rotative power is applied to cam 35 through clutch 36, to cause hammer 37 to strike the selected type character.

In order that the type slugs 14, disposed between plates 11A, 11B of type carrier 10, may be restored after printing the same are slotted as at 14a to receive springs 15. One end of each spring bottoms on the marginal right hand end portion of each slot, and the other, upon the inner face of plate 11A. A sleeve member 17 encircles each slug 14 and its associated spring to prevent separation of the spring from the type slug.

While any suitable number of control devices may be employed to limit the horizontal and vertical displacements of the type carrier 10, the aforementioned solenoid control units 44, 46, 48 and 50, are indicated by way of example. Each of the solenoid units are similar and unit 44 is shown as including a plunger 128 which is axially aligned with and connected to its associated spool valve 45. A spring 129 encircles the plunger 128 to engage a shoulder portion 130 at one end thereof and to abut a face portion 131 of its respective solenoid housing.

When, for example, solenoid 44 is energized, plunger 128 is actuated so as to compress spring 129 to thereby move spool valve 45 to its phantom line position as shown. When solenoid is de-energized valve 45 under the action of spring 129 is restored to its full line position as shown. The remaining solenoid units 47, 49, 51 in combination with solenoid 44, may be permutably operated depending upon the electrical signals which may e received from the signal source as at 42. With any combination of electrical signals so received by the control units, one and only one of the passage ways 76 to 79 in each of the horizontal and vertical pneumatic positione'rs 2t) and 28 will be opened. Spool valves 45 and 47 will be so positioned to permit air to be exhausted from the pneumatic cylinder 52 through a selected passage. When for example the port or passage 78 is opened, the piston 54 in cylinder 52 will move from its dotted line to its full line position as shown.

The piston moves downwardly because of the reduced pressure in the lower portion of the cylinder 52 by virtue of the open passage way 78 which connects the lower portion of the cylinder 52 to the atmosphere. Spool ,74 of spool valve 47 and spool 68 of spool valve 45, it is noted, do not block the passage 78 which leads to the atmosphere. The piston 54 will continue to move downwardly until the open port 78 is covered by the piston 54.

In order to eliminate over shoot and oscillation of the piston 54, a fluid damping unit 26 is provided to operate in unison with the positioner unit 20. It is observed that when the port 78 is opened in the pneumatic drive unit 20, the like located port 110 is opened in the damping unit 26 below. Spool 103 afiixed to the lower portion of spool valve 47, and spool 98 aflixed to the lower portion of spool valve 45 are likewise simultaneously positioned, upon movement of valves 45, 47 respectively, to open passageway 110. Since the passageway 110, has been opened, the fluid within cylinder 93 on the lower side of piston will thereby be exhausted through the open passage way 110, 119A, 1108, and into exhaust chamber 115. The fluid is then exhausted through pipe 117 through the upper check valve 123 and into the top inlet 124 on the top side of piston 95. When the piston reaches the open port or passage way 110, the piston itself will close the passageway 110. The fluid which is ahead of the piston 95, that is, on the lower side, is trapped in the lower portion of cylinder 93. The fluid cannot be exhausted through the inlet opening 126 and out of the check valve 125, and no further oil or fluid may flow through passage because piston 95 blocks the passage. Since all the passages are closed and the upper end of the cylinder 93 is closed by the check valve 123 the fluid is trapped on both sides of piston 95. The fluid used in the damping unit 20 is inelastic and there can be no bounce or yielding of the actuating piston rod 24.

From the above description it has been observed that the control units 44, 46, 48 and 50 may be permutably energized to simultaneously open one and only one of the exhaust ports in each of the horizontal and vertical pneumatic positioners 20 and 28 respectively. Each combination of horizontal and vertical positioning movements produces linear and angular motions in connecting link 32, and depending leg portion 18, of type carrier 10, so that the latter undergoes a combination of translation and rotation. It is thus further seen that the mechanism described hereinabove presents a greatly simplified means to combine the two selection movements to position a type carrier along two intersecting axes. The mechanism moreover utilizes fewer moving parts, is much less cumbersome than those now used for this purpose, has greater capabilities, and is adapted for general and widely varying purposes.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those'skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for printing comprising,

(a) "first and second actuator means disposed upon intersecting axes and each including an element movable to a plurality of positions along the axis of its respective actuator,

(b) a type carrier having a plurality of type characters disposed therein in rows and columns,

() said carrier including an integral depending link portion pivotally connected to the movable element of said first actuator means,

(d) a link pivotally connected at one end to the movable element of the second actuator and at its other end to said integral depending link portion of said carrier,

(e) and means for permutably operating the first and second actuator electrical means to position the elements thereof at preselected locations along said axes to thereby present a selected type character in said carrier in its printing position.

2. Apparatus for printing comprising,

(a) a type carrier having a-plurality of movable type characters disposed therein in rows and columns, (b) first and second actuator means disposed upon intersecting axes with respect to each other for imparting simultaneous translation and rotation to said type carrier,

(0) each actuator including a cylinder having a plurality of passages opening therein along its length,

(d) a piston and rod movable in each cylinder, the outputs of movement of each said rod corresponding to distances between passages along said cylinder,

(e) a plurality of valves associated with said passages,

(1) said carrier including a depending link portion pivotally connected to the rod movable by the piston of the first of said actuator means,

(g) a connecting link pivotally connected at one of its ends to the rod movable by the piston of the second of said actuator means and at its other end to said depending link portion of said carrier,

(h) inlet means disposed at each end of said cylinder of said first and second actuator means for supplying air under pressure to opposite ends thereof,

(i) and means for permutably operating said valves in each actuator means to open a given one of said passages to the atmosphere whereby the piston therein travels in its cylinder by virtue of the high pressure on one side thereof and the reduced pressure on the other side thereof until the same covers the opened passage.

3. Apparatus for printing serially comprising,

(a) a type carrier having a plurality of movable characters disposed on rows and columns therein,

(b) first pneumatic positioning means for moving said carrier row-Wise,

(0) second pneumatic positioning means pivotally connected to said carrier for positioning the same columnwise,

(d) linkage means interconnecting said carrier With said first pneumatic actuator means,

(e) said first and second pneumatic means each including a cylinder connected at each end thereof to a source of compressed air, each said cylinder including a plurality of outlets spaced along its length,

(1) a piston mounted to move Within said cylinder,

and in blocking relation with a selected outlet therealong,

(g) a rod integral with each said piston, one rod of one cylinder being connected to said linkage means '6 andthe rod of the other cylinder being pivotally connected to said carrier,

(h) valve means mounted in said outlets,

(i) and a plurality of solenoids associated with-said valve means which upon receipt of electrical signals move said valve means to'control the flow of air through said outlets to'thus determine the position of said piston in said cylinder.

4. Apparatus'for printing serially comprising,

(a) a carrier having a'plurality oftype characters disposed in rows and columns and mounted for relative movement therein,

(b) first and second actuator means connected to said carrier for moving the same simultaneously along said rows and columns,

(c) each said first and second actuator means including a cylinder having inlet means disposed at opposite ends thereof and connected to a fluid medium under pressure and a plurality of exhaust ports disposed along its length,

(d) piston means movable in each said cylinder in selective blocking engagement with one of said ports and connected to said carrier,

(e) a rod secured to each said piston means and connected to said carrier,

(f) valve means associated with said exhaust ports, and

(g) means for actuating said valve means to open a preselected port in accordance with the character to be printed whereby said piston moves along said cylinder to close said open port and thereby positions said carrier so that a selected character thereon is in its printing position.

5. Appaartus for printing serially including,

(a) a carrier having a plurality of type characters mounted for movement therein,

(b) first pneumatic positioning means pivotally connected to said carrier for imparting movement to the same along a first line,

(0) second pneumatic positioning means for moving said carrier through an are about said pivotal connection,

(d) means for actuating said first and second pneumatic means concurrently,

(a) each said first and second pneumatic positioning means including a cylinder connected at each end thereof to a source of compressed air and including a plurality of outlets disposed along its length,

(f) a piston mounted to move within said cylinder and in selective blocking relationship with one of said outlets,

(g) means interconnecting each said piston with said carrier,

(h) valve means mounted in said outlets,

(i) and means operatively connected with said valve means to control the flow of air through said outlets to thus control the movement of said piston.

6. Apparatus for printing serially including,

(a) a carrier having a plurality of type characters mounted for movement therein, said type characters being disposed in said carrier in arcuate rows and radially convergent columns,

([2) first pneumatic positioning means providing a pivotal connection for said carrier at the point of intersection of said convergent columns and for imparting movement to said carrier along said columns,

(c) second pneumatic positioning means for moving said carrier through said arcuate rows about said pivotal connection,

(d) means for actuating said first and second pneumatic means concurrently,

(e) each said first and second pneumatic positioning means including a cylinder connected at each end thereof to a source of compressed air and including a plurality of outlets disposed along its length,

7 8 (f) a piston mounted to move within said cylinder and 664,590 Sensburg Dec. 25, 1900 in blocking relationship with each of said outlets, 896,913 Hopkins Aug. 25 1,908 (g) means interconnecting each said piston with said 939,965 Aronson Nov. 16, 1909 carrier, 2,367,313 Reynolds et al Jan. 16, 1945 (71) valve means mounted in said outlets, 5 2,505,729 Zenner Apr. 25, 1950 (i) and means operatively connected with said valve 2,661,683 Beattie Dec. 8, 1953 means to control the flow of air through said outlets 2,8955 84 Hickerson July 21, 1959 thus to control the movement of each said piston. 2,923,131 Furman et a1 Feb. 2, 1960 3,007,398 Pecchenino Nov. 7, 1961 References Cited in the file of this patent 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS 206,160 Bellows July 23, 1878 

1. APPARATUS FOR PRINTING COMPRISING, (A) FIRST AND SECOND ACTUATOR MEANS DISPOSED UPON INTERSECTING AXES AND EACH INCLUDING AN ELEMENT MOVABLE TO A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS ALONG THE AXIS OF ITS RESPECTIVE ACTUATOR, (B) A TYPE CARRIER HAVING A PLURALITY OF TYPE CHARACTERS DISPOSED THEREIN IN ROWS AND COLUMNS, (C) SAID CARRIER INCLUDING AN INTEGRAL DEPENDING LINK PORTION PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE MOVABLE ELEMENT OF SAID FIRST ACTUATOR MEANS, (D) A LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END OF THE MOVABLE ELEMENT OF THE SECOND ACTUATOR AND AT ITS OTHER END TO SAID INTEGRAL DEPENDING LINK PORTION OF SAID CARRIER, (E) AND MEANS FOR PERMUTABLY OPERATING THE FIRST AND SECOND ACTUATOR ELECTRICAL MEANS TO POSITION THE ELEMENTS THEREOF AT PRESELECTED LOCATIONS ALONG SAID AXES TO THEREBY PRESENT A SELECTED TYPE CHARACTER IN SAID CARRIER IN ITS PRINTING POSITION. 